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(Recorded in the Upper Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Yingtao (from *Liji Zhu*), Hantao (from *Yueling*), Jingtao.

Su Song stated: Meng Shen noted in his *Bencao* that this is Yingtao, not a peach. Although it does not belong to the peach category, because its shape resembles a peach, it is called Yingtao; what is there to doubt? Similar to Mhouli and Hetao, these names are derived from their similar shapes. The *Book of Rites* records: "In the second month of spring, the Son of Heaven offered Hantao to the ancestral temple," referring to this fruit. Thus, Wang Wei's poem says: "Just after the spring offering at the imperial garden, not because birds have pecked at the remnants in the royal park." It is not widely used in medicine.

Li Shizhen stated: Its fruits resemble jade ornaments, hence the name "Ying." Xu Shen wrote it as "Yingtao," explaining that it is food contained by orioles, hence also called "Hantao," which is also acceptable. According to the *Erya*: "Xie (pronounced Jia) is Jingtao." Sun Yan's commentary states: "It is the current Yingtao." The largest and sweetest ones are called Yami.

**[Collection and Explanation]** Su Song said: Yingtao grows everywhere, but those from Luoyang are the best. The trees provide much shade and ripen before other fruits, so ancient people valued them highly. When ripe, deep red ones are called Zhuying; purple ones with fine yellow spots on the skin are called Ziyng, possessing the most precious flavor. There are also bright yellow ones called Chaying. Small and red ones are called Yingzhu, with flavors inferior to the others. The very large ones are like bullet shots, with thin pits and thick flesh, especially rare.

Li Shizhen said: Yingtao trees are not very tall. They bloom white flowers in early spring, with dense blossoms like snow. The leaves are round, pointed, and serrated. Dozens of fruits grow on one branch. When they ripen in March, they must be guarded against, otherwise birds will eat them all. They can be preserved in salt or candied in honey, or mashed with honey to make cakes. People in the Tang Dynasty ate them with yogurt. Lin Hong's *Shanjia Qinggong* states: "If Yingtao is exposed to rain, worms naturally generate inside, invisible to humans. Soaking them in water for a long time causes the worms to emerge, making them edible." This has been verified.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Sweet, hot, astringent, non-toxic. Ma Zhi stated: Neutral, slightly toxic. Excessive consumption causes vomiting.

Meng Shen stated: Eating too much causes no harm, but induces empty heat. Those with latent wind pathogens should not eat it, as it triggers immediate illness.

Li Pengfei stated: It damages tendons and bones, and depletes qi and blood. Patients with cold-heat disorders should not eat it.

**[Therapeutic Actions]** Regulates the middle jiao, benefits spleen qi, improves complexion, and enhances mood (*Bielu*). Stops seminal emission and grain-water dysentery (Meng Shen).

**[Elucidation]** Su Song stated: Children who eat too much invariably develop heat syndromes. This fruit ripens in late March and early April, absorbing pure yang qi and ripening before other fruits, thus its nature is hot.

Zhu Zhenheng stated: Yingtao belongs to fire with earth characteristics, having a great heat nature and inducing dampness. Those with existing heat diseases or wheezing/coughing will fall ill immediately upon consumption, and death may occur.

Li Shizhen stated: According to Zhang Hezi's *Rumen Shishen*: A wealthy family in Wushui had two sons who loved eating Ziyng, consuming one or two sheng daily. Half a month later, the elder son developed Feiwei (lung atrophy), and the younger son developed Feiyong (lung abscess); they died successively. Alas! Fruits are produced to nourish humans, not to harm them. How did the wealthy family's indulgence in desires lead to death? Is it fate or destiny? Shao Yaofu's poem says: "Excessive enjoyment of palatable foods eventually leads to illness." Truly a golden maxim! Observing this case further corroborates the words of Kou Zongshi and Zhu Zhenheng. Wang Wei's poem says: "After full eating, do not worry about internal heat; high officials still have cold sugarcane juice." This implies that eating cold-natured foods together can resolve the heat.

**Leaves**

**[Flavor and Properties]** Sweet, neutral, non-toxic. When boiling old geese, it helps soften the meat.

**[Therapeutic Actions]** Snake bites: Mash into juice for oral administration and external application (Su Song).

**Roots growing eastward**

**[Therapeutic Actions]** Decoct and drink to immediately expel Ascaris lumbricoides and pinworms (Su Song).

**Branches**

**[Therapeutic Actions]** Freckles: Grind together with Spirodela polyrhiza, Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus Spina, and dried plum flesh; apply daily to wash the face (Li Shizhen).

**Flowers**

**[Therapeutic Actions]** Facial pigmentation and impurities (Formula see under Prunus salicina flower).